Ekblad Wins First OHL Start, Named Second Star

Darien Ekblad kept his team in the game, much like he has done on many occasions this season with the GOJHL’s Chatham Maroons. This time however, Ekblad was backstopping the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

After backing up several games this season, Ekblad finally got the call for Saginaw following an 8-3 loss against the London Knights earlier in the weekend with Nikita Serebryakov in net.

Facing the Guelph Storm, Ekblad put in a strong performance making 28 saves and picking up his first OHL win, a 3-2 decision. After getting outshot in each of the first two periods, and trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, Saginaw put in a solid third period effort with goals from Jason Shaw and Garret Ross to pick up the win.

Ekblad was also named the game’s second star.

In 29 games for the Chatham Maroons this season, Ekblad has 20 wins, a .913 save percentage, a 2.93 GAA, and one shutout. He was also named the GOJHL’s Western Conference November goalie of the month.

Ian Kennedy is the owner and editor of the Chatham-Kent Sports Network (www.cksn.ca). A University of Western Ontario graduate, Ian is also a secondary school teacher in Chatham-Kent. Ian’s sportscasts and news contributions are regularly featured on 99.1 CKXS FM in Wallaceburg, and his weekly articles are also featured in print in the Chatham Voice. In the past, Ian worked as a columnist and reporter for the Chatham-Kent Daily Post.